Army aviators are getting the highest compensation increase since 1999. The service announced that beginning Jan. 1, its fliers began receiving a new Aviation Incentive Pay (AvIP), in addition to the 3.1-percent rise in basic pay that took effect this year in order to better compete with the civilian aviation industry for pilots – who with US military training and experience are in high demand.

“The Army understands the high demands on the aviation force and their families. This increase in AvIP, the first for Army pilots in over 20 years, will result in an increase of pay for most pilots in the regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves,” said Maj. Gen. David J. Francis, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general. “This adjustment is just one of many efforts underway to maintain aviation readiness and ensure support to the joint force.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Army hopes AvIP will provide long-term financial incentives to remain qualified for flight. It noted that these rates have not increased since 1999 and what used to equal almost 25 percent of a pilot’s base pay declined to approximately 11 percent. It said the new AvIP rates would have levels at the maximum allowed by law when combined with the recently approved 3.1 percent pay raise